Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-02-02
WASHINGTON LODGE.
THE CENTENNIAL OF ITS cHARrlR
CELEBRATED AT fREDR'
RICKsBURG.
washingto az Preemason-v irglnian
skies Smile on the Brethren Of
the Bystic Tie.


her best bib and tucker to-day to do
honor to the brethren OF the Mystic
lie. The resident brethren did honor
to their order in celebrating the CEN
tennial Of Ledge No. and in paying
special and glowing tributes TO the
memory of their distinguished frater
and past master, George Washington.
The weather was delightful A bright
southern sun poured its warm and
genial rays over old Fredericksburg and
over the ripping Rappahannock. 1t
was typical Virginia day.
A charter was granted one hundred
years ago yesterday TO Lodge No. 4, of
Fredericksburg. II WAS signed by
Grand-Master Edmond Randolph, who
was then Governor of Virginia. Yes
terday being the Sabbath the centen-
NAL Of this charter was celebrated here
to-day. The lodge has been in ex-
istence long prior to the date OF the
charter Just mentioned, but had been
working under dispensations and other
charters.
fredericksburg Lodge was one of the
five that met at Williamsburg on the
23d Of June, 1777, and united in de-
claring that grand master for Vir-
GINA was essential TO the prosperity and
dignity OF Masonry in general, and re-
commended George Washington rs
grand master. The convention, of
which James Mercer was the president,
adopted the declaration and recon-
mendation. General Washington. how
ever, owing to the more active duties OF
civil and military life devolving upon
him, declined the high honor. Another
convention WIS held, and John Blair,
of Williamsburg, then the capital Of
Virginia, was made the first grand
master. He was succeeded Ivy others
until Governor Randolph, rs grand
master, signed the charter which had
its centennial celebration here to-day.
Visitors have been arriving by every
train all day, and the streets toward
evening assumed quite holiday and
animated appearance. The attendance
from the national capital is large.
When the crescent moon had lit up
one side of Main street, leaving the
other dark, and had made the Kappa
bannock like silver thread along the
valley, everybody moved toward the
Opera-H House. The building, which
seats about twelve hundred people, was
densely packed. The audience was adj
mitted by tickets. On the stage were
distinguished members Of the Masonic
fraternity, visitors, and members OF the
various committees.
THE CELEBRATION.
The ceremonies at the Opera House
were under the supervision of com
mittee consisting of S. j. Quinn, J. b.
Sener, G. +. HuntOn, ST., J. II. Meyer,
ST.. and Robert Berry. The pro-
gramme began ut half-past 7 p. NJ.
with the opening-chorus festival, fol-
lowed by prayer by Chaplain j. W.
Sener Then came an instrumental
overture, after which m elaborate his
torical sketch of Lodge No. 4 was
delivered by District eputy-Grand-
Master S. J. Quinn. This occupied
over half an hour, and at its
conclusion there were cheers, more in
strlmental music, and an address by
Past Grand-Master Judge b. r. Well
ford, of Richmond. Mrs. 4. c. Dog
gett then sang when the Heart is
Young" with great effect, eliciting
warm applause. Other addresses were
delivered by Grand-Secretary W. b.
Isaacs of Richmond, George II. Ray
Of Fredericksburg, and Congressman
Allen of Massachusetts, the whole
winding no with u grand closing cho-
rus and benediction. The speakers
were introduced by Worshipful- Master
Thomas Wood.
DISTINGUISHED GUESTS.
Among the distinguished visitors
were noted Grand Master William Z.
Drinkard, of Virginia; Major f.. I. ID.
Myers, Colonel Charles 4. Taylor, and
Captain w. il. Shatton, OF Richmond;
Robert Is. Vance, of North Carolina;
Charles II. Allen, of Massachusetts; II.
r. LiIbey, of Hampton, Va; General
William q. TaliafeTo, past grand mas
ter of Virginia, and Frank Z. Reid, OF
Alexandria, Va. Major Ben. Perley
Pcore, who attended n grand Masonic
celebration here thirty years ago, was
also present, attracting large share Of
attention.
TIE RECORDS or swAsHINGTOS'5 LODGE.
The records Of Lodge No. 1 wash
ington's) were almost totally destroyed
by the Federal troops in December,
1862. These records covered period
from l777 to 1860. 1t was thought then
and for n long time alterward that every
vestige of Washington's early Masonic
history had been lost.
Fortunately, however, the record from
1852 to 1776, showing WashingtOn's
connection with the lodge, and also the
Bible upon which he was obligated,
were saved. These precious historical
and Masonic proofs were in the posses
sion of Mr.. William Ware, who, at the
time of the capture of this city by
General burnside. was q refugee in
DanWlle, Va.
WASHSGTON Az A MASON.
Py these it is conclusiyely shown that
George Washington was initiated in
this No. 1 Lodge of fredericksburg on
the 4 tn of November, 1852. He was
passed to the degree of fellow-craft on
March 3, 1853, and was raised to the
sublime degree of master mason on
August 4, 1888. He was born at STRAIT
ford. in Westmoreland county, Va, on
February 18th, old style, and February
odd, new style, 1892, and was conse-
auently initiated before he was twenty
one years of age. This, Mr.. Quinn ex-
plains, may have occurred from the fact
that Daniel Campbell, master OF the
lodge and grandmother, grantedaspecial
dispensation to the young candidate.
And it is the more probable, rs the
Lodge afterward performed the func-
tons Of q grand lodge in chartering
other lodges. Another authority says
that when Washington presented his
petition no one stopped to inquire his
age. He was appointed surveyor OF
Culpeper county at the age Of seven
teen years, acknowledgement Of the Vir-
ginia militia at the age of nineteen,
with the rank of major, and at the age
of twenty he became the executor OF
the large estates of his brother. Law
renee Washington, and was therefore
thought TO be of mature age.